The Mulberry Bayswater Handbag Has A New Look At London Fashion Week - Do You Want One?

Well I do! I am as happy as any girl to tote around a new handbag - seriously it can make or break my day, and the new Mulberry Bayswater handbag in coral smudged leopard print is a seriously heart-breaking handbag with its postman's lock and tiny hidden padlock. The only thing stopping me from clicking on the buy-it-now button on the Mulberry site is the price - around £650. Yes, I know this is an iconic bag and brand that we are talking about but can I seriously justify paying what is the equivalent of a month's rent for a bag? Plus, my other half would seriously be unhappy .... So, I decided to do some investigating to find out what the more errm.... thrifty options were, and I did manage to find these rather more pocket friendly alternatives - plus remember everyone, it won't be long until the season of goodwill is upon us, so you might want to add one of these little beauties to your Christmas wish list.

The Cheap And Cheerful Alternative To The Mulberry Bayswater Bag

For those who have under a tenner to spend, and who are searching for the Mulberry look, this bag makes a very good attempt. It's not leather but it is in a fashionable raspberry shade and has a great little padlock on the front. Slightly bargain-basement, but still a very good bag with lots of room - great to take to work and available in lots of colours.

• Padlock detail
• Zip-top closure for security
• Soft faux leather material and the lining inside includes pockets for bits and pieces aherend your mobile.

The Everyday Alternative Bag to the Mulberry Bayswater Bag

This bag has the ever popular crocodile effect finish in a lovely brown shade and is the perfect tote size which will fit either hooked over your arm (very celebrity style) or on your shoulder. Still a pretty pocket-friendly alternative but a very smart looking bag.

• Lovely shiny faux brown crocodile skin finish
• Padlock detail
• Lining with lots of pockets and generally a lot of room - this bag can even be used as a weekend bag.

The Alternative To The Bayswater Bag To Put On Your Wish List ...

This bag is gorgeous high quality leather, and it has a super twist lock on the front which is very similar to the postman's lock on the Bayswater - it is super roomy too and promises to be a long lasting and stylish bag.

• Lots of pockets inside and out, including a mobile phone pocket and a feature detachable outer front Postman's lock pocket.
• Beautiful and soft premium leather and a luxury fabric lining.
• Double handles which can be unfastened and clipped together diagonally to create a cross-body bag.
• Complete with a dust bag for storage.

STOP PRESS: - the big news is that you can now have the opportunity of winning a fantastic Mulberry bag for free until the beginning of December - there are still plenty of bags left - all you need to do is click here to go to the Kinder Bueno website, who are running the promition, and register to enter to win a bag each day - you never know you could be the lucky one!

Tips On How To Get A Beautiful And Stylish Supermodel Fringe

Like many girls I know, I've had shoulder length hair for more years than I care to think about, but the last time I had a fringe - well it wasn't too much of a success. I had it styled at a very well known hairdressing salon (think of the initials "T" and "G") but it was just too trendy and totally did not suit me. At the time it was de rigueur to have a straight, very short, and block cut fringe above the eyebrows - now this may have worked for some catwalk supermodels, but on me - it just looked bizarre and out of place. I could not wait for it to grow out long enough so I could clip it up. Of course, whilst I had been at the hairdressers, I "aahhhed" and "oooohed" along with the stylist pretending that I was comfortable with this ultra-trendy image - and then cringed when I got home. Does anyone else feel familiar with this scenario... 

Anyway, I think that I may take the fringe plunge again soon, but having learned my lesson as above, I think I will be following the tips below which are courtesy of a certain British supermodel's hairstylist, and I don't think you can really go wrong (I hope..).

Supermodel Tips To Get The Perfect Fringe

• Keep your fringe a bit longer - nothing above the eyebrows please - as I found out to my cost - this is a very strong look which is hard to carry off.
• Beware of fringes if you have curly hair - a fringe that is relatively long when it is straight can become curly in damp weather and will spring up.
• When you go to the hairdresser speak to your stylist and ask them to leave the fringe slightly longer than you think you will want it - if you do need an extra few millimetres trimming off they should be happy for you to call back and many hairdressers will re-trim the fringe at no extra cost.
• The benefit of a fringe is that it can soften a look if perhaps you have a very high hairline or very strong features.
• A fringe can be very sexy if it styled right - with your fringe a little long, break it up using a little styling balm or spray and separate it into different sections. Use your fingers to break up the sections and keep them in place with a little hairspray.
• For more detailed hairstyling tips and tricks that can make the most of your hair and help you avoid any styling mishaps this book is highly recommended.

How To Avoid Making Mistakes With Your Nails And Keep Them Looking Fantastic

Yes, we seem to write a lot about nails, but that's because looking after them and making the most of our nails, long or short, is so important. They can make or break the look you want, and there is nothing so annoying as tatty, uneven, broken nails or cuticles .... it makes you just want to hide your hands away. If you are unhappy with your home manicure, it is unlikely to be the products you are using, such as your nail polish, which is at fault - it's more likely to be your nail care techniques which are not quite up to scratch - so here are some helpful hints to look after your pinkies.

File Your Nails In One Direction

Don't use your nail file like a see-saw on your nails as this causes the nail ends to split and flake. File gently from each corner towards the centre with smooth strokes.

Never Cut Your Cuticles

Your cuticle is there for a purpose - it seals your skin against bacteria. Cutting cuticles is not a good idea, they will normally end up ragged and sore. Instead soak your hands in warm water (you can add a few drops of almond oil to the water to moisturise as well), and then using a cotton bud or orange stick gently push your cuticles back from your nail.

If You Have Dry and Cracking Cuticles - Moisturise Them

If you have had your hands in water a lot or it is wintery weather you may experience dry and cracked cuticles. Use either a specially formulated cuticle cream or oil to moisturise them each night before going to bed to soothe them.

Change Your Nail Polish At Least Once A Week

Nail polish remover should not be used too often on your nails as it is very drying and you should avoid the ones containing acetone if possible. But make sure you remove any polish from your nails at least once a week as leaving on chipped nail polish does not only look horrible, it can also start peeling off the top layer of your nail as it comes away.

Always Use A Base Coat Before Applying Polish

Never use nail polish - particularly dark or vibrant shades - without a base coat first as your nails are likely to become stained a nasty yellow colour, which does not look good on anyone. Also some base coats contain Vitamin E and other nutrients which are good for your nails and help them remain strong.

How To Apply Sunless Tanning Cream To Your Face For A Natural Summertime Glow

There are lots of good reasons to use a facial tanning cream to create a pretty and natural tanned look, however, many people are scared to take the first step in case they find themselves with an orange or streaky face that they can't hide away for several days. It has to be said if you make a mistake with fake tanning cream on your legs you can always wear trousers, but if the mistake is on your face it's a little different.

However, if you follow these few, simple steps you will be able to create a natural glow with no streaks or discolouration. There are many benefits to using these creams, not only the lovely moisturising qualities of many of them, but also there is no need to sunbathe with your face in direct sunlight, which can cause premature ageing, discolouration and wrinkles.

Five Easy Steps To Apply A Natural Looking Fake Tan On Your Face

• The day before you plan to apply your fake tan, exfoliate your face using either a facial scrub, facial buffer or exfoliating face mask. You should exfoliate 24 hours before applying any kind of fake tanning product as applying it straight after exfoliation can cause redness and irritation.
• Combine together your preferred sunless tanning cream together with a simple facial moisturiser, or use one of the ready mixed facial moisturisers with a hint of tanning cream. Many of the main beauty brands offer a version of their moisturisers with a sunless tanner included in the formulation.
• Using your finger tips apply your moisturiser, or mix of tanning cream and moisturiser, to your face using circular and upward gentle motions. Make sure to be careful around your hairline, eyebrows and ears as this is where the tanning lotion can collect and create streaks and discolouration. Be particularly careful if you have very fair hair as the tanning lotion can stain your hairline. 
• Make sure to wash your hands and around your nails. If you think that you may have some tanning lotion in your eyebrows or around your ears, run a cotton bud over the area to remove any excess.
• It's ideal to do this at night just before going to bed as your tanning lotion will be undisturbed until morning and you should wake up to a new day with a pretty golden glow, that will make your day all the brighter!